What's happening at the Refuge?

The Refuge and the Friends are always busy, managing wildlife and introducing the public to the wildlife and nature. The blog "What's happening at the refuge" will keep you up to date with what's going on.

Las Vegas, NM: A Highlands University biology professor’s research to increase the genetic diversity of the bison conservation herd from the Pojoaque Pueblo is part of a partnership that is the first of its kind in the country.

The pueblo is the first tribe in the United States to graze bison on federal land; in this case the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge north of Las Vegas. On Oct. 23, the Pojoaque Pueblo, Highlands University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Denver Zoo celebrated a partnership focused on bison conservation.

“The genetic research that Dr. Sarah Corey-Rivas does is important because it helps us prevent inbreeding in the herd”, Viarrial said. “In our culture, we have a deep respect for bison, and they are extremely important to us for ceremonial and spiritual reasons.

“Historically and currently, bison have nourished Native American people with their meat. Their horns and bones were also used for tools and weapons and their hides were used for shelter and clothing, including costumes for traditional feast days,” Viarrial said.

“Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge brings people together”, said Rob Larrañaga, manager of the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “This historic partnership focuses on long-term bison conservation that honors native cultures and traditions tied to the land.”

North American bison are a species of concern. While more than 30 million bison roamed the Great Plains in the 1800s, only an estimated 29,000 live in the wild today.

Corey-Rivas said that bison help restore healthy grassland ecosystems because the way the animals graze promotes greater diversity in plant species, which in turn increases the diversity of bird species.

“With bison, we’re very concerned about the historic loss of diversity in the species and the unknown consequences”, Corey-Rivas said. “For example, we might have a population of bison that don’t have the genetic immunity to fight disease transmitted by cattle, elk or sheep. Protecting genetic diversity also increases the chances of bison surviving adverse conditions from climate change, such as severe drought.”

For her research, Corey-Rivas collected bison hairs from the herd at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. Then she isolated the bison’s DNA from hair follicles in her Molecular Biology Laboratory at Highlands, involving her students in both elements of the research process.

“We analyze the bison’s mitochondrial genes, which are structures in cells that convert energy for the cell and have their own DNA”, Corey-Rivas said. “We use mitochondrial genes because they give so much information on historic lineages and can also be used to identify bison that are cattle hybrids.”

Corey-Rivas isolated a potentially unique lineage of North American bison through her genetic research on Pojoaque’s herd and will continue to study its pedigree.

Brian Miller, a wildlife biologist and former executive director at Wind River Ranch, was the first to work with the InterTribal Buffalo Council to establish a bison conservation herd at the ranch. Wind River became the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge in 2012, the same year the partnership was formalized.

“It’s critical to know bison lineages for broader conservation of the species across North America”, said Miller, who collaborates with Corey-Rivas on her research. “The research Sarah does is very important because we want to prevent the loss of significant and potentially rare genes that could be crucial to conserving wild bison.”

“Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge is a very significant site for Highlands University faculty and student research dating back to when it was the Wind River Ranch”, said Jim Fries, Highlands president. “We’re thrilled that this partnership has evolved in a way that supports our university’s research.”

Attention to Nature Lovers and Birders:

Important News from Philip Garcia, Biologist, LVNWR

Philip has designated Crane Lake and Browns Marsh to receive over time, a portion of the year's water allocation from Storrie Lake. Philip optimistically hopes that water in these two ponds will last into November and winter months, inviting shorebirds and waterfowl to stop and even stay!

For the Fall Flight Festival and many nature lovers this is good news, especially since Browns Marsh provides the most accessible place for bird sighting! It will take some time to see the water there; Philip is releasing water into it slowly. Philip warns that water in Brown's Marsh will temporarily increase mosquitos and flies but he adds, "ducks love bugs." So, hang in there, and keep watch until the weather cools down and the birds fly in!

The bulk of the allocated water is stored at Bentley Lake. Sadly, the current water at Melton Pond, so nice to see by the visitor center, will slowly disappear as it is designated for irrigating the west side fields.

Sonya Berg organized a weeding party on July 10, and the workers showed up to separate wheat from chaff (or gaillardia from bindweed). It was great fun, and another party is set for July 24, this time with music.

Work at the Pollinator Garden at LVNWR Visitor Center is going slowly but surely. Remember, the tortoise and the hare! We still need more hands to help us get ahead of the weeds in order to give all of those wonderful native plants a chance. If you love being outside and helping the butterflies, bees, and birds, contact Sonya Berg at 425-6680 or berg.sonya42@gmail.com. I will meet with you at the VC and get your started on this important venture.

These gardens will beusedas learning resourcesforthecommunity and schools.Inviting schools to participate in thegardensallowstudents to interact withthegarden,ask questions,observe the lifecycle of plants,record data,learnaboutgeneticengineering, insects, plants,soil, weeds and gain awareness ofthe balance of life. This also helps childrenappreciate the history of gardeningin this area and recognizewaterasour most precious resource.

Theseeffortsengagecommunities andyouth to nurture an appreciation ofwildlife conservation andfosterabetter understandingof the role of theService and the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)in conservingnatural resources. Animportant elementis toprovidean understanding oftheUnited StatesFishand Wildlife Service missionand work and how itrelates to people and their well-being. The goal is to understand the values ofthecommunity, and why communitiesareimportantto us.The emphasis ofthisapproach is adding valueto existingpartnerships,as well as,adding

valueto school,youth,university, andemploymentpartnerships.

Thesenative wildflower demonstrationsites attract monarchs during their springand fall migrations. Our gardens serve as an educational space to informyouth about the importanceof species conservation,as well as tosupport scienceand math learning.

This year Las Vegas National WildlifeRefuge's visitor'scenter demonstrationareawill be designatedas a MonarchWaystation onSeptember 28 at ourannual Concert for the Birds event.

We are also sponsoring an Adopt a Monarch Butterfly program to raise and release tagged butterflies to aid in the study of their epic migrations to and from Mexico. Local people can adopt a crysalis, then tag their own butterfly and release it to the migration. Learn more about the program at www.flvnwr.org/Monarch

Join Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge for the 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count - ITS EASY AND FUN!
Count birds anywhere you like for at LEAST 15 minutesundefinedor even longer if you wish. Keep track of the kinds of birds you see and how long you watched.
Make your best estimate of how many birds you saw of each species. For example, 5 Northern Cardinals, 3 American Crows. Huge flocks may be a challenge, but your best guess is still valuable.
Enter your list(s) online at www.BirdCount.org. Put in a new checklist:
--for each new day --for each different location --for the same location, same day, if you counted at a different time of day
Check it out at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
Photo: Join Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge for the 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count - ITS EASY AND FUN!
Count birds anywhere you like for at LEAST 15 minutesundefinedor even longer if you wish. Keep track of the kinds of birds you see and how long you watched.
Make your best estimate of how many birds you saw of each species. For example, 5 Northern Cardinals, 3 American Crows. Huge flocks may be a challenge, but your best guess is still valuable.
Enter your list(s) online at www.BirdCount.org. Put in a new checklist:
--for each new day --for each different location --for the same location, same day, if you counted at a different time of day
Check it out at http://gbbc.birdcount.org